The Order of the Storm

In ancient times the Order of the Storm were well respected as sage prophets, defenders of the realm and vanquishers of demons. It was their duty to act as guardians to the mystical laws of Ascension, whereby a mortal could be elevated to the state of a higher being with great control over the weave, and to protect those chosen - by other Ascendees - to Ascend while the event took place, as demonic entities were often summoned in great numbers by the focus of such great power.

In later days their order became corrupted and fell under the sway of a Human named Jakt Rain who made an ill-advised pact with a Dark-Ascended (a mortal who had achieved their power not by being chosen but by using dark rituals to force their way onto the higher planes) to achieve power in the same way as they had.

Rain was a charismatic, influential, and ultimately very powerful leader who drew many to his cause of using the great power he sought to re-make the world free of sin, pain and hardship. And his corruptive pursuit of power blinded him from seeing that he would destroy the very concept of free will if his plan succeeded, and the Storm were also blinded.

Now turned from protectors into an army at their masters bidding, the newly named Storm Knights fell further away from their original function with every passing year until the death of their master Rain, followed by military leaders Castegyr and Locke. Many errors followed as they struggled to redefine themselves, and much wisdom was lost as they began to destroy the knowledge they had once sought to protect, but their affinity for lore and magic remained, as did their tightly disciplined and formidable force.

Unable to find the redemption they sought, and all but destroyed by the forces of the Vadrayan Imperium the remaining members of their group split apart. Some went into seclusion to await the day their knowledge would be needed again, others traded their skill with the blade and magics for mercenary work, and many more helped to found the Stormwatcher's Guild - led by Elven Bard Thaleles Darkshine and Human Sorceress Lisa Linton - a group of adventurers dedicated to the opposition of evil.